Reasonable, realistic, non-bombastic? On Day 1 of a new Warriors era, call it the Steve Kerr Calming Effect (and this jangled franchise could use it)

OAKLAND—It will not take a de-coder and a large dose of truth serum to decipher Steve Kerr’s detailed vision for the Warriors.

He’ll tell you, in plain words, usually accompanied by a shrug and plenty of crystalline–and calming–perspective.

Or at least that’s what Kerr did on Tuesday, after the formalities of his official introduction as the new Warriors coach.

At first, Kerr said he hasn’t discussed any ideas for personnel changes because he’s new, he’s not the general manager, and he really likes the current roster.

But then, after I pressed just a bit about all the information and questions he brought to the three-hour meeting with Warriors brass last week that got him this job (and convinced him he should spurn the Knicks), Kerr smiled and relented.

“I take that back: I did tell them I think this team could use a stretch 4,” Kerr said, referring to a three-point-specialist power forward.
“I think a shooting 4 could really make things difficult on the opposition. We saw what Draymond [Green] did in that Clipper series at the end. He made 5 threes in Game 7…
“That’s the one nugget I can give you that we actually have talked about. A stretch 4 would be great. But in terms of names, we really haven’t gotten into that.”

Kevin Love? Well, that would be the first name on anybody’s mind for that description, and he may be available, if Minnesota finds the right deal.

Point of fact: The Warriors probably don’t have as much trade ammunition as some other teams and it will take a lot to land Love; but they always find a way to dabble in all potential big possibilities.

“You know, we’re not shy,” co-owner Joe Lacob reminded me on Tuesday.

There might be other, less glamorous and expensive options out there—Phoenix’s Channing Frye or New Orleans’ Ryan Anderson.

For now, the Warriors can only wait to see how the trade market develops, and survey what other players might be suitable.

“Look, we’re going to take into account whatever he is interested in,” Lacob said of Kerr’s “stretch 4” thoughts.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he would say that because even in his interview with us, spacing is really important. And look at the way the Spurs play–he’s influenced by that. A lot of spacing. And a lot of ball movement.

“So it could make sense. We’ll have to talk about it.”

This all fits Kerr’s stated plan to move the Warriors away from Mark Jackson’s reliance on stationary “isolation” sets and to a flowing, passing style similar to the Spurs’ current blockbuster operation.
You need passers and smart players to do that, and ideally you could use a big man who can pull the defense out to the three-point line.

That is not necessarily David Lee, the Warriors’ much-favored, highly-paid incumbent power forward.

OK, to be clear, Kerr said he likes the Warriors’ entire starting line-up, including Lee; and Lacob defended Lee, as usual, again on Tuesday.
But it’s natural to conclude that if there’s a spot to upgrade, it’s to add somebody better than Lee. If possible.

This is another departure from the way Jackson entered the scene and operated throughout.
No knock on him, but Jackson would never admit that his team had a single specific need area.

That was part of his motivational process, but also part of his stubbornness and probably part of the frustration for Warriors executives.

The top execs could never quite pin down Jackson on what he really wanted from them.

The Warriors, I can safely conclude after one day, will not have this problem with Kerr, nor he with them. He might not win big, who knows. But he won’t be confusing.

The communication will be clean, clear and without need for extrapolation.

On Tuesday, Kerr also said he loves the defensive mentality that Jackson instilled in this team and that he wants at least one assistant with head coaching experience.

He also said he wants to run more, and to flow into secondary offensive sets to free up Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson even when the fast break isn’t quite there.
It really doesn’t get clearer than that for a first-time coach on his first official day.

No braggadocio—that was necessary three years ago, to jolt this franchise back to life.

This time, with this coach, it’s about reasonable approaches to reasonable questions.

And that has carried over to ownership, too.

Joe Lacob, after winning 51 games and then firing your coach this season, would 51 wins and a first-round loss next season be a failure?

“No,” Lacob said emphatically. “Absolutely not the case. We are in this for the long-term with Steve.”

It was just one day, but it was a different kind of day for the Warriors, who have been so amped up and aggravated for a few years now.

I think it’ll be more like this from now on. Call it the Steve Kerr Calming Effect.